The Muckers - annual hosts of Thanksgiving since we all lived in Berkeley - organised the festivities again, although it was a smaller and less international gathering than that time 38 of us squeezed into their front room. But I don't think there was any less food, given that we had two turkeys this year. One was oven baked, but a second was deep fried in the way the pilgrims would have cooked it all those centuries past.
The party started at 1.30pm, and when Vince finally switched off the American football game ten hours later the requisite amount of meat, vegetables and pudding had been consumed, and the beer pumpkin was empty. What was I most thankful for this year? That we could stay overnight and I didn't have to drive home. I was less thankful when Pete woke up at 5am and demanded pancakes - he obviously understands the true meaning of the holiday.
The hostess welcomes us with a small bottle of Champagne.
The host cooks up the bacon-wrapped shrimp. Just a little nibble before the main course.
I found these finger food plates in a thrift store. I think they were new, but they were a big hit regardless.
Jeroen, a fellow European, schools the Yanks in how to really cook a turkey.
The healthiest way.
There was even entertainment for the kids. It was like Disneyland.
Here's Christine pouring some more drinks. There's a theme here.
Too many cooks?
No, because this was the result.
An American family.
All the major food groups.
The feast, out on the deck.
JJ started a card school. Watch your wallets.
Everyone left satisfied. Or is this the next candidate for the deep-fryer...?
